School officials review safety procedures in wake of tragedy

Lee-Jackson Elementary School principal Drew Greve demonstrates the use of the school’s keypad.

Local school officials are reviewing campus security and law enforcement agencies increased their presence at elementary schools this week, following a shooting massacre in a Connecticut school that took the lives of 20 young children and six adults on Friday.

Gloucester schools superintendent Ben Kiser said Sheriff Darrell Warren took the initiative in providing a police presence at all five county elementary schools on Monday.

"Sheriff Warren provided some additional services. He enhanced the availability of officers and will continue to do so through the week," Kiser said. Officers were present when children arrived at schools and overall increased their campus visibility throughout the day.

"We believe our protocols right now are pretty effective," Kiser said of safety policies and procedures already in place. "Teachers and principals are always working hard to make sure our children are safe."

"We have had conversations with principals about what we might like to have," Kiser continued. "There are a lot of ideas on the table, including hardware, more professional development and added personnel. Parents have also been asked to provide input. We will consider the ideas within our budgeting resources, and look at what we think might give us the best return."